YouTube launches AI upscaling and QR shopping for TV viewers

YouTube has launched a suite of TV-focused features including AI upscaling, shopping QR codes, and immersive channel surfing to strengthen its dominance on big screens. The updates come as YouTube attracts more TV viewers than Netflix and Disney+ combined, with the platform seeing a 45% increase in channels earning over $100,000 annually in 2025.

Key features rolling out: YouTube is introducing several enhancements specifically designed for television viewing experiences.

• AI upscaling will automatically enhance lower-quality videos to 1080p, with plans to support “super resolution” up to 4K in the future.
• Thumbnail file size limits have increased from 2MB to 50MB, allowing creators to upload higher-quality preview images.
• Shopping QR codes will enable viewers to scan product links directly from their TV screens using mobile devices.
• An immersive channel surfing interface will showcase popular channels with video previews on the homepage.

How the AI upscaling works: YouTube will automatically process existing content while giving creators control over the final output.

• Creators are opted in by default but can disable the feature in Advanced Settings before their videos are processed.
• Both original and upscaled versions will be available, with super resolution videos clearly labeled for viewer selection.
• The platform emphasizes it’s not modifying original files, addressing previous creator concerns about transparency during earlier testing phases.

In plain English: Think of AI upscaling like having a smart TV that automatically makes old, fuzzy videos look sharper and clearer without changing the original recording—creators can choose whether to use this enhanced version or stick with their original upload.

TV interface improvements: The platform is redesigning its big-screen experience to feel more like traditional television.

• The new homepage will feature immersive previews that users can flip through to sample content.
• Creator pages will prioritize content from that specific channel rather than mixing in general YouTube recommendations.
• The interface will support YouTube’s new Shows design, allowing creators to package content into binge-worthy collections.

Shopping integration expands: YouTube is capitalizing on the 35 billion hours of shopping content watched in the past year.

• QR codes will appear at specific timestamps in properly tagged videos, solving the problem of sharing links on TV screens.
• Creators can use YouTube Studio tools to surface shopping codes at relevant moments during their content.
• The feature addresses the challenge of traditional TV shopping methods that don’t translate well to streaming platforms.

What this means for creators: The updates represent YouTube’s push to make TV viewing more profitable for content creators.

• Higher thumbnail quality limits allow for more visually appealing content discovery.
• AI upscaling could improve viewer experience for older or lower-resolution content.
• Shopping integration provides new monetization opportunities specifically designed for the TV viewing environment.